the (old) college try

the (old) college try

An attempt to do something. I gave knitting the old college try, but I just didn't enjoy it. Give it the college try and I think you'll find that it's easier than you think.See also: college, try

old college try

a valiant effort. Will made the old college try, but that wasn't enough to get the job done.See also: college, old, try

old college try, the

One's best effort, as in Come on, if we give it the old college try we just might be able to cut down this tree . This slangy expression, originally a cheer to urge a team on, dates from the 1930s when college football films were very popular. See also: college, old